Monthly Archives: July 2014

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One of the biggest mistakes leaders can make is to wait to be told something. You will never affect change by waiting for change to happen to you. When leaders do decided to do something what they ask often is “What do you want me to do?” If you want to grow in your ability to lead others don’t ask “what do you want me to do?” Ask “What can I contribute?”

Executives who do not ask themselves, “What can i contribute?” are not only likely to aim too low, they are likely to aim at the wrong things. Above all, they may define their contribution too narrowly. – Peter Drucker

Questions from yesterdays Ask Tim Keller courtesy of Cameron Moore follow him on twitter at @Cambassador21

Ask TK 7/28/14

Q: Favorite puritan?
TK: That’s easy, John Owens because Jonathan Edwards is not technically a Puritan.

Q: Favorite Lewis book?
TK: Another easy one: Mere Christianity.

Q: What is your opinion of “praying in tongues”?
TK: I like Don Carson’s book “Showing the Spirit” on this one. Balanced, thoughtful, and rooted in Scripture.

Q: Was there ever a point in the last several years that you questioned your role in ministry? TK: When Kathy was sick a few years ago, I questioned if I should leave ministry for a while.

Q: Do you envision a time where we will see a “consolidation” of Christian denominations? church seems too fragmented
TK: As long as The Church strives for both unity AND purity there will always be denominations.

Q: Advice for young educators? (I teach English lit to 12­17 year olds)
TK: Similar to a question last time: At that age they need Christianity modeled more than explained.­­Doesn’t have to be Christian education, just modeling your faith is important for 12­17 year olds.

My friends over at Hillsong are about to release the newest installment of their curriculum. They do a phenomenal job, excellent content we use their stuff every summer. Be on the lookout it’s hitting digital shelves in August.

Here’s what we know so far –

It’s a 9 week curriculum

It includes elementary/primary and preschool/toddlers (first time)

It’s all about Faith, Hope and Love

It will be physical (DVD) and digital (download)

Large group/small group (same format as previous curric.)

Over 7 hours of media content! (this kinda blew my mind when we added it up!)

Jim Collins writes in his introduction to Drucker’s classic text Management. He writes:

Business and social entrepreneur Bob Buford once observed that Drucker contributed as much to the triumph of free society as any other individual. I agree. For free society to function we must have high-performing, self-governed institution in every sector, not just in business, but equally in the social sectors. Without that, as Drucker himself pointed out, the only workable alternative is totalitarian tyranny. Strong institutions, in turn, depend directly on excellent management….and no individual had a greater impact on the practice of management and no single book captures its essence better than his seminal text, Management.

One of the books I try to read every year is “The Effective Executive” By Peter Drucker it’s a classic. Everytime I read it I am challenged afresh. I am actually in the middle of a blog series where I blogging about each chapter in the Effective Executive. I have always felt that it lacked something as I find with most productivity books they stop short. They make the chief goal of productivity to be more time, money or energy for you. When you come to understand the gospel you understand that the chief goal in life is not me and my need but to Glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

In “What’s Best Next” Matt Perman does a masterful job of connecting the gospel to productivity. In a time when many people now find throwing the word gospel in a book to sell more copies I found Matt’s book refreshing in that he understand the gospel and apply it well to productivity. Thank you Matt for writing something that needed to be written. As someone who is passionate about the Glory of God in all things, the gospel, theology and about GTD I found “What’s Best Next” both theologically solid and intensely practical. That is not easy to do.

About Me

My name is Sam Luce and I have been the children’s pastor at Redeemer Church in Utica NY for the past 18 years. Currently I am serving as the Pastor of families for all our campuses. This is my personal blog it is focused on leadership, children's ministry and creativity.